"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" is broadcast every Saturday from 8 AM to 9 AM on FM Kurashiki.
The personality, Asuka Abe, visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to interview children who talk about the charm of their schools and school districts, as well as their big dreams. Through the genuine voices of the children, the appeal of the local area can be felt anew.
In the broadcast on June 20, 2026 (Saturday), we introduced the situation at Funao Elementary School located in Funao, Kurashiki City.
We will deliver the lively voices of the children.
This article is a contributed piece by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. It has been edited and published by the Haretoco General Incorporated Association editorial team.
FM Kurashiki "Gather Around! Elementary School Students"
In "Gather Around! Elementary School Students," we conduct direct interviews with sixth graders at the visited elementary schools to deeply explore the charm of the schools everyone attends. Additionally, the "School District Pride" segment, where children share the good and favorite aspects of their local area from their perspective, is also noteworthy.
Children share their exciting future dreams and express gratitude to their families who are always with them... We will also present heartwarming interviews that will surely touch the hearts of adults.
This time, we visited Funao Elementary School located in Funao, Kurashiki City.
The Charm of Funao Elementary School was shared by Rino Mimura. She presented it clearly and cheerfully.
The first points she mentioned were the children's "liveliness" and "balance."
During recess, everyone rushes outside to play with all their might, but when the music signaling the start of class plays, they quickly switch their mindset and return to the classroom to focus on their studies.
Many students are particularly dedicated to "self-study," and when their notebooks used for self-study fill up, the principal introduces their efforts during the lunchtime TV broadcast. In 2025, there were so many students introduced that broadcasts were held weekly, as everyone was diligently working at their desks. It's nice to have their hard work recognized by everyone.
She also talked about the "spirit of helping each other" that transcends grade levels. When someone is in trouble, instead of ignoring it, a kind heart is nurtured that naturally reaches out to help.
It was a school introduction filled with the warmth of Funao Elementary School.
About Funao Elementary School
The school introduction for Funao Elementary School was presented by Rino Mimura. She presented it clearly and cheerfully.
The first points she mentioned were the children's "liveliness" and "balance."
During recess, everyone rushes outside to play with all their might, but when the music signaling the start of class plays, they quickly switch their mindset and return to the classroom to focus on their studies.
Many students are particularly dedicated to "self-study," and when their notebooks used for self-study fill up, the principal introduces their efforts during the lunchtime TV broadcast. In 2025, there were so many students introduced that broadcasts were held weekly, as everyone was diligently working at their desks. It's nice to have their hard work recognized by everyone.
She also talked about the "spirit of helping each other" that transcends grade levels. When someone is in trouble, instead of ignoring it, a kind heart is nurtured that naturally reaches out to help.
It was a school introduction filled with the warmth of Funao Elementary School.
Children of Funao Elementary School Talk About "School & School District Pride"
Next, we will introduce the "school and school district pride" that the children are proud of.
Three children presented the charms of Funao Elementary School and the school district in a ranking format.
1st Place: About 90% of National Production! "Muscat of Alexandria"
Atsuto Morinaga announced that the 1st place is the Muscat that Funao is proud of.
In particular, the Muscat of Alexandria, known as the "queen of fruits," is produced in about 90% of the national production right here in Funao. The Muscat, which receives plenty of blessings from the sun, is not only delicious when eaten as is but also processed into fragrant wine at the local Funao Winery, offering various ways to enjoy it, which is a major charm.
Morinaga confidently stated, "It's not just about the quantity; the various ways to enjoy Funao's Muscat are what make it great." Muscat is a proud specialty that can be said to be synonymous with Funao.
2nd Place: High-Quality "Sweet Pea" Made with Care
Next, Kana Takahashi introduced the 2nd place, the high-quality Sweet Pea known for its quality.
In Funao, they use a labor-intensive method called "standing cultivation" to carefully grow each stem. As a result, the stems become thick, the petals become thick, and the flowers have excellent longevity. Currently, over 80 varieties of delicate colors are being produced, making them suitable for various interior designs.
Additionally, at the entrance ceremony of Funao Elementary School, new students are presented with bouquets of sweet peas every year.
The sweet pea, with its sweet fragrance, is something Takahashi encourages everyone to try, saying, "Please buy Funao's sweet peas."
3rd Place: Autumn Festival of Funao Shrine
Finally, the 3rd place was announced by Rikuto Hirai. He introduced the "Autumn Festival of Funao Shrine," which takes place every year on October 22nd and 23rd.
The Bichu Kagura, which starts in the evening of the first day, features powerful performances for several hours. Among them, the highlight is the traditional mochi throwing, which means "sharing good fortune." Not only mochi but also candies are thrown, and both adults and children become engrossed in the fun.
On the day of the festival, the portable shrine parades through the town, and lively stalls line the streets. Hirai mentioned, "It's fun to spot the portable shrine somewhere," teaching us that this traditional event, cherished by the local people, is also a special major event for the children.
Surrounded by rich specialties like Muscat and Sweet Pea, the children are nurturing a heart of compassion. Funao Elementary School is a vibrant and kind place of learning.
Voices of Children Looking to the Future
After learning about the school's charm, we also asked everyone about their future dreams.
The 18 children who answered the interview included aspiring professional athletes, nail artists, illustrators, and school teachers. Imagining everyone's future selves is exciting.
The sight of children challenging themselves with "what they love" as their driving force gave great courage and inspiration to the adults as well.
Thank you, everyone at Funao Elementary School.
Conclusion
In "Gather Around! Elementary School Students," we will continue to deliver the charm of schools and the local area through the voices of children.
Every time we visit an elementary school, we feel that the children are growing daily with the warm support of the teachers and the local community.
FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the local children so that they can spend their days healthily and happily.
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Data of FM Kurashiki "Gather Around! Elementary School Students"
| Name | FM Kurashiki "Gather Around! Elementary School Students" |
|---|---|
| Address | 520-28 Shirakuratown, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-430-0828 |
"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" can also be listened to from the FM Kurashiki website.